How to Connect PLSQL Developer to Oracle Autonomous Database – Step-by-Step Guide

Typically, those who use PLSQL Developer have been on the Oracle journey for quite some time. We're used to configuring TNSNAMES to access our on-premises databases—almost with one hand tied behind our backs. However, when we first encounter Oracle Autonomous Database, we realize the connection process is a bit different.

This article walks you through the most practical way to connect to your Autonomous Database using PLSQL Developer. To begin, log in to your OCI console and navigate to the Autonomous Database menu. Then, click on the database you want to connect to.

Click on Database Connections.

Download the wallet by clicking on Download Wallet. This will download a .zip file containing your wallet.

From here, there are three options:

Option A - Extract the ZIP to a separate folder and point PLSQL Developer to it

This is the easiest and most straightforward option. Create a folder with any name you like (e.g., my_plsql_wallet). Inside it, create a subfolder called network, and inside that, another one called admin.

Example path: C:\my_plsql_wallet\network\admin. Place the contents of the extracted wallet into the admin folder. You should see files like these:

Now, in PLSQL Developer, point to the parent folder (e.g., C:\my_plsql_wallet).

Option B - Extract and add entries to your TNSNAMES and SQLNET.ORA files

(Use this if you want to keep your existing connections and have only one active Autonomous Database connection)

In this case, locate your TNSNAMES.ORA file (assuming you already have an Oracle Client installed), and add the entries found in the tnsnames.ora file from the wallet.

In your SQLNET.ORA file, add the following entry:

WALLET_LOCATION = (SOURCE = (METHOD = file) (METHOD_DATA = (DIRECTORY="?/network/admin"))) SSL_SERVER_DN_MATCH=yes

Option C - Extract, add entries, and modify TNSNAMES to specify wallet path

(More work, but useful if you want to work with multiple Autonomous Database instances)

IMPORTANT: Always back up your files first.

Start by clearing any wallet-related settings from SQLNET.ORA. Then extract the wallet to a folder of your choice (e.g., C:\my_plsql_wallet).

Next, add an entry to your TNSNAMES.ORA, and modify the wallet reference under the SECURITY section like this:

dbtest_high = (description= (retry_count=20)(retry_delay=3)(address=(protocol=tcps)(port=1522)(host=adb.sa-saopaulo-1.oraclecloud.com))(connect_data=(service_name=exampleservice_high.adb.oraclecloud.com))(SECURITY =(MY_WALLET_DIRECTORY = C:\my_plsql_wallet)(SSL_VERSION = 1.2)(SSL_CLIENT_AUTHENTICATION = FALSE))))

NOTE: Starting with Oracle 23ai, MY_WALLET_DIRECTORY has been replaced with WALLET_LOCATION.

References:

https://blog.bar-solutions.com/?p=954

https://forums.oracle.com/ords/apexds/post/one-client-needing-multiple-wallets-and-or-multiple-sqlnet-6227

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/23/netrf/local-naming-parameters-in-tns-ora-file.html#GUID-E48103F6-8B8B-457C-9374-695C7CCAD816